Best private high schools in New Hampshire
As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.
It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.
For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.
Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in New Hampshire using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.
#30. Laconia Christian Academy
- Location: Laconia, NH
- Enrollment: 170 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#29. Jesse Remington High School
- Location: Candia, NH
- Enrollment: 45 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#28. Trinity Christian School
- Location: Concord, NH
- Enrollment: 228 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#27. Bishop Brady High School
- Location: Concord, NH
- Enrollment: 301 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#26. Immaculate Heart of Mary School
- Location: Richmond, NH
- Enrollment: 43 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#25. South Merrimack Christian Academy
- Location: Merrimack, NH
- Enrollment: 153 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#24. Mount Zion Christian Schools
- Location: Manchester, NH
- Enrollment: 150 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#23. Concord Christian Academy
- Location: Concord, NH
- Enrollment: 318 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#22. Holy Family Academy
- Location: Manchester, NH
- Enrollment: 95 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#21. Trinity High School
- Location: Manchester, NH
- Enrollment: 334 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#20. Dublin Christian Academy
- Location: Dublin, NH
- Enrollment: 174 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#19. Busche Academy
- Location: Chester, NH
- Enrollment: 110 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#18. Bishop Guertin High School
- Location: Nashua, NH
- Enrollment: 788 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#17. Tabernacle Christian School
- Location: Litchfield, NH
- Enrollment: 70 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#16. High Mowing School
- Location: Wilton, NH
- Enrollment: 361 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#15. Mount Royal Academy
- Location: Sunapee, NH
- Enrollment: 195 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#14. Oliverian School
- Location: Pike, NH
- Enrollment: 32 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#13. Portsmouth Christian Academy
- Location: Dover, NH
- Enrollment: 645 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#12. Tilton School
- Location: Tilton, NH
- Enrollment: 240 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#11. Waterville Valley Academy
- Location: Waterville Valley, NH
- Enrollment: 18 (1:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#10. Brewster Academy
- Location: Wolfeboro, NH
- Enrollment: 339 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#9. The Derryfield School
- Location: Manchester, NH
- Enrollment: 399 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#8. New Hampton School
- Location: New Hampton, NH
- Enrollment: 347 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#7. Proctor Academy
- Location: Andover, NH
- Enrollment: 371 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#6. The White Mountain School
- Location: Bethlehem, NH
- Enrollment: 140 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#5. Kimball Union Academy
- Location: Meriden, NH
- Enrollment: 340 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#4. Holderness School
- Location: Holderness, NH
- Enrollment: 300 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#3. Dublin School
- Location: Dublin, NH
- Enrollment: 169 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#2. St. Paul's School
- Location: Concord, NH
- Enrollment: 530 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#1. Phillips Exeter Academy
- Location: Exeter, NH
- Enrollment: 1,074 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
